Episode 187: A Million Steps on Lava with Ricardo Kaljouw
“When things get really tough, you should not take a look at the full picture. You should take it in small steps... Make it to the rock. We will see if we are gonna make it to the rock.”
This week, we're honored to welcome Ricardo Kaljouw from the Netherlands, the first Dutchman to conquer all seven volcanic summits. Growing up in a country below sea level, Ricardo developed an early fascination with mountains and exploration that eventually evolved into something deeper—a calling to stand on the crater rims of the world's most powerful volcanoes.
Ricardo takes us on a journey through his transformation from Royal Navy serviceman to passionate volcano mountaineer. He describes that pivotal moment standing on the rim of Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, watching the world's largest lava lake bubble beneath him through the night, and feeling an immediate connection that would shape his future. That initial visit sparked what would become a decade-long mission to climb volcanoes across all seven continents, from the icy slopes of Mount Sidley in Antarctica to the nearly 7,000-meter heights of Ojos del Salado in the Atacama Desert.
In this episode, we explore the profound difference between climbing mountains and climbing volcanoes, the unique character of each volcanic summit, and how Ricardo's journey became a testament to taking life one step at a time. Join us for a deep and moving conversation about finding purpose through passion, embracing adventure through small steps, and what it truly means to follow your inner fire—even when it leads you to the most isolated and dangerous places on Earth.
Scott and Ricardo also discuss:
00:52 Meet Ricardo Kaia: The First Dutchman to Climb All Seven Volcanic Summits
02:19 The Volcanic Seven Summits Challenge Explained
05:25 Ricardo's Journey and the Unique Appeal of Volcanoes
09:13 The Awe and Danger of Climbing Active Volcanoes
19:35 Ricardo's Adventurous Spirit and Early Influences
23:06 Navy Missions and Lessons in Perseverance
26:05 Starting the Volcanic Seven Summits: Kilimanjaro and Beyond
33:25 The Perils of Snow Blindness
34:15 Navigating Snow Blindness
36:36 Lessons from the Summit
37:29 Discovering the Seven Volcanic Summits
39:43 Challenges in Papua New Guinea
41:48 Mountaineering in North and South America
44:29 The Harsh Realities of Ojos del Salado
48:21 Conquering Mount Sidley in Antarctica
53:18 Reflecting on the Journey
58:27 The Volcanic Grand Slam Challenge
01:02:34 Final Thoughts and Inspirations
You can learn more about Ricardo by following him on Instagram and checking out his book on Amazon.
See below for photos Ricardo shared from his travels and life...
Watch the Full Behind The Scenes Episode
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